JPS64190Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to an electric rice cooker that has a timer mechanism for presetting a time to start cooking rice, and a microcomputer configured to control energization of a heating element for cooking rice.

In the conventional electric rice cooker, as shown in the circuit configuration of Fig. 1, the rice cooking switch 5 is turned on, and when the rice cooking starts, a certain amount of power is supplied to the timer switch 7, which activates the microcomputer 2 and uses the power source 1 to turn on the heating element for cooking rice. 4, and is heated by the heating element that contacts the bottom of the inner pot, raising the temperature of the rice. Therefore, especially when cooking a large amount of rice, water may not be absorbed sufficiently and the temperature rise in various parts of the rice may be uneven. However, the conditions under which the rice gelatinizes and gelatinizes vary widely, leading to large differences in how well the rice is cooked, resulting in poor taste and poor appearance. Therefore, in order to eliminate these drawbacks and obtain more delicious cooked rice, the power supply to the heating element 4 for rice cooking is temporarily stopped several minutes after the start of rice cooking, and during this time, the convection of water is promoted and the temperature of each part is made uniform. A device was devised that cooks rice using a method programmed to increase water absorption in the rice (the sequence is shown in Figure 2, hereinafter referred to as sequence NO1). A flowchart of the microcomputer 2 having this means is shown in FIG. As a result, the uneven cooking of rice was largely eliminated, but there was a drawback that the rice cooking time was extended because the electricity was turned off.

The present invention was made in order to eliminate these drawbacks, and its purpose is to speed up the rice cooking time of an electric rice cooker having the means of sequence NO1. For this reason, when a timer switch is set on the computer, it is equipped with a function to energize the heating element for rice cooking and to continue energizing without stopping it.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. This invention focuses on the fact that the timer switch is set the day before rice cooking, so there is enough time for the rice to absorb water, and by programming the rice to not turn off the electricity when cooking after setting the timer, the rice can be cooked. This is intended to save time.

In other words, the following functions were added to microcomputer 2. As shown in FIG. 4, when it is determined that the timer switch 7 is set, a time determination 9 is made after the timer count 8, and the power control element 3
The means (shown in FIG. 5) for continuing the rice cooking via sequence NO2 is executed, and the post-cooking switch 5 enters the judgment and the power control element 3 is controlled. Other configurations are the same as before.

As for the above operation, when the rice cooker switch 5 is turned on, a timer set signal is input from the timer switch 7 to the microcomputer 2, and the timer is counted. After the timer count 8, when the specified time 9 elapses, the microcomputer 2
A drive signal is output from the power control element 3 to energize the heating element 4 for rice cooking, and rice cooking is started. At this time, electricity is supplied in sequence No. 2, and rice is cooked with constant power as shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the timer switch 7 is not set, the rice cooking power is repeatedly stopped and turned off in accordance with sequence No. 1 as shown in FIG. 2 as before. When the timer is set, the rice will absorb enough water while the timer counts, eliminating the need for power control and shortening the cooking time.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the timer is set, the rice cooking time is automatically shortened under the control of the microcomputer, making it possible to cook rice in a short time, so that it does not take time to cook rice in the morning. Deliver effective results.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a main part configuration diagram of the circuit of an electric rice cooker of the conventional and one embodiment of the present invention, Figs. 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams and flowcharts of the conventional electric rice cooker, and Figs. 4 and 5 are 1 is a flow chart and a sequence diagram of an electric rice cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2...Microcomputer, 3...Power control element, 4...Heating element for rice cooking, 5...Rice cooking switch, 7...Timer switch.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] It has a timer mechanism to reserve and set the time to start cooking rice, and after a few minutes after the start of rice cooking, the heating element for rice cooking is repeatedly energized and stopped, and then the rice is cooked by continuing to energize it at a constant rate. In an electric rice cooker with a built-in power control element, when rice is cooked by setting the timer switch 7, the heating element 4 for rice cooking is not energized and stopped, but is powered by a constant electric power. An electric rice cooker characterized in that it is equipped with a microcomputer 2 having means for cooking rice.